Accelerated ovarian failure results in brain alterations related to Alzheimer's disease that are not recovered by high-intensity interval training in mice.

Introduction: The menopausal decline in ovarian estrogen production is thought to increase the risk of Alzheimer's disease; however, this link requires further investigation. The chronological development of this connection is not well defined because of the lack of animal models that recapitulate the time course of menopause. This study characterized the cognitive and neuronal effects of the 4-vinylcyclohexene diepoxide (VCD) model of ovarian failure in female mice and assessed whether high-intensity interval training (HIIT) would attenuate impairments.

Arrhythmogenic atrial remodeling during pregnancy in mice.

Background: Pregnancy is associated with greater vulnerability to supraventricular tachyarrhythmias.

Objective: As the underlying mechanisms remain to be elucidated, we investigated whether pregnancy induces atrial remodeling that might contribute to this.

Methods: Atrial electrophysiological and contractile properties were examined in nonpregnant and pregnant (P) mice.

Perimenopause Decreases SERCA2a Activity in the Hearts of a Mouse Model of Ovarian Failure.

Risk of cardiovascular disease mortality rises in women after menopause. While increased cardiovascular risk is largely attributed to postmenopausal declines in estrogens, the molecular changes in the heart that contribute to risk are poorly understood. Disruptions in intracellular calcium handling develop in ovariectomized mice and have been implicated in cardiac dysfunction.

Time course changes in in vivo muscle mechanical function and Ca regulation of force following experimentally induced gradual ovarian failure in mice.

The abrupt cessation of ovarian hormone release is associated with declines in muscle contractile function, yet the impact of gradual ovarian failure on muscle contractility across peri-, early- and late-stage menopause remains unclear. In this study, a 4-vinylcyclohexene diepoxide (VCD)-induced ovarian failure mouse model was used to examine time course changes in muscle mechanical function. Plantar flexors of female mice (VCD: n = 10; CON: n = 8) were assessed at 40 (early perimenopause), 80 (late perimenopause), 120 (menopause onset) and 176 (late menopause) days post-initial VCD injection.